Richard B. “Dick” Parker

Mr. Richard B. “Dick” Parker, devoted husband and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died following a brief illness on January 20, 2021, at the age of 90.

Dick was born on June 11, 1930, to Vergil and Velma Parker of Blachly, Oregon, the youngest of three sons.  In 1952, he graduated from Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon.  Having served in ROTC in college, the newly-commissioned 2nd Lt. Parker, continued his service in the US Air Force.  In 1953, while stationed in South Georgia and training to be a fighter pilot, Lt. Parker met a lovely Georgia peach named Johnnie Mae Barlow in Moultrie, Georgia.  They married in November of that same year.  Together, they lived in Alexandria, Louisiana until he left the service in 1954, and then moved to Oregon.  After several years, they moved to Texas briefly and then settled in Gainesville, Georgia in 1963.  There, they raised their four children, Lynn, Tammy, Jeff and Bryan.  He, Johnnie and the children traveled most of the United States over the years.  After retirement, Dick and Johnnie continued traveling the US as well as internationally to places such as Europe, Australia, and Central America.

The poultry industry brought Dick to Gainesville, where he managed the feed mill for Swift and Company.  But in the 1970s, due to the economy, Dick left that industry and pursued another career, applying his talents as a carpenter.  Through Parker Construction, Dick took on almost any kind of small job and made a successful living as a “jack-of-all-trades.”  He also was the manager and part owner of a real estate company, P.J. Rentals, at times overseeing more than 40 pieces of property.

One of his passions was his church, Lakewood Baptist, where he was a Life Deacon.  He served the Lord in many capacities including Sunday School teacher and Adult Choir member.  He put actions to words by going out in the missions field and applying his talents there to build churches in Liberia and Panama that would further spread the Gospel.  And he participated with the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief Team in many areas after catastrophes such as Hurricanes Andrew and Hugo, among many other missions-related activities and trips.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife of almost 67 years, Johnnie, and by his daughter, Tammy Bellamy.  He is survived by his children, Lynn Evans, Jeff (Angela) Parker and Bryan (Sherri) Parker; grandchildren, Jennifer Cook, Jesses Ash, Ashley Croker, Charli Bellamy, Anna Watkins, Rob Parker, RN Bellamy, Sophie Vaughn, Gracie Warren and Ellie Parker, as well as 11 great-grandchildren.

Due to COVID-19, funeral arrangements are yet to be determined, but will be handled by Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Missions fund at Lakewood Baptist Church, 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30501. 

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com